THE first time I attempted dressmaking, Laura Ashley fabrics were the height of fashion. So were dungarees. I even made a pair of these for myself, although I drew the line at using a flowery print.

MRS VonBulow-Bauer began her dressmaking course in 1943, and by 1950 she was teaching classes of more than 20. Although Ruth VonBulow-Bauer was shocked when she stumbled on her mother's ...